Naughty Temptations

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

The address that she gave the cabdriver turned out to be for a beautiful old Victorian home, very similar to her own but on a much grander scale. Situated on a large piece of land, it had a wraparound driveway that allowed the driver to pull the cab right up to the front door. Anastasia noticed that a small section of the lawn had been removed to create parking spaces, but other than that, the garden had been left intact. It might be a bit dull now, but once spring hit South Carolina, that would change. Well into the fall, the large trees would provide shade while the flowerbeds would no doubt be a riot of flowers offering color to the stately white building with its dark blue shutters. It was gorgeous.

The driver cleared his throat and she realized she was just sitting there, gawking at the building. The man was going to think she had some kind of mental problem if she didn’t pull herself together. She tipped him generously as he once again helped her with her belongings, placing the box carefully on the front porch.

“You sure you’ll be all right?” She could see the concern in his eyes. “Do you want me to wait for you?”

It was tempting, but the client had left specific instructions and Anastasia knew that she had some work to do to set up everything. “No, but thank you. I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

The driver nodded and went down the steps to his cab, climbed in and drove away, giving a toot to his horn as he pulled back out onto the street. Anastasia turned her attention back to the house. A discreet sign off to the right of the door announced the various businesses that were housed inside—a law office, an investment firm and a psychiatry practice.

Opening the door, she stepped inside. The lobby was as breathtaking as the outside of the building. Hardwood floors the color of warm honey spread before her, welcoming any visitor. An antique oak sideboard sat against one wall and she laid the flower arrangement there while she went outside and brought in the box.

When the door closed behind her for the second time, a woman was standing in one of the doorways that opened off from the foyer. “I thought I heard someone out here,” she said, smiling. “Can I help you with anything?”

Anastasia nodded. “I have a delivery for Future Investments.”

“Their office is on the top floor. Marlow’s Law Firm takes up the entire ground floor and at the moment there’s only Dr. Jacobs’ psychiatry practice on the second. The investment company has the third. Right up those stairs until you get to the top. Oh, and the owner is out seeing a client. He asked me to tell you to take a left at the top of the stairs and to go straight in the second door on the right and set everything up.”

“Left and second door on the right. Got it. Thanks.” Anastasia eyed the long staircase as the other woman disappeared back into her office. She was beginning to wish she hadn’t worn her sexy, new high-heeled shoes this afternoon. Oh well, there was nothing to be done about it. Striding forward with the box clutched tight in her arms, she started the long trek to the top.

Feeling almost like an intruder, she crept up the stairs and took a left, trying to ignore the fact that she was starting to sweat in her expensive business suit. Not to mention that her panties were still damp after that incident back in her car. No, she definitely didn’t want to think about that.

Hurrying down the hallway, she ignored the incredible crown molding and the rich, buttery yellow that covered the walls. She wanted to get this stuff set up and get out. Fortunately, this customer had paid by corporate credit card earlier today when he’d placed his last-minute order with Maryann. She didn’t even have to wait around for him. Once she was finished, she was out of here. Her stomach knotted at the thought of what awaited her at her lawyer’s office, but there was no point in putting off the inevitable.

She found the room easily and walked inside, as the door was wide open. It looked more like someone’s living room than part of an office. Four tall windows were spread across the far wall, allowing her a spectacular view of the back garden. Long, white sheers hung at each one, giving the room an open, airy feeling. Anastasia lowered the box to the floor beside a large maple coffee table that sat in the center of an intimate conversation area. The sofa and chairs were covered in a rich sky blue fabric and looked very comfortable facing a lovely antique fireplace. A massive floor-to-ceiling bookcase dominated the opposite wall. The final wall had a long maple sideboard with several tasteful pieces of art hanging above it. Anastasia imagined that clients would relax in a room like this while they talked business.

Okay, she’d admired the room and gotten a much-needed breather, but she still had to get the flowers from downstairs and set up everything for the client. She glanced at her watch. It was almost half past four. She had to hurry.

She was panting slightly by the time she hurried back up the stairs again. She’d almost kicked off her shoes to make her second run, but she hadn’t wanted to chance running into the client. Not the best way to make a good professional impression. And to a fairly new business like hers, reputation was everything. Every satisfied client was a potential repeat client. And that didn’t even cover the possible referrals. So, as much as it pained her, she kept her shoes on.

She glanced at the sideboard, but immediately decided it was too impersonal. Reaching into the box, she pulled out a lacy, crisp white cloth and spread it over the coffee table. Two crystal flutes and the champagne came next. She’d even had the champagne on ice and the ice was still mostly frozen. Life was good. The large box of rich, sinful chocolate was placed artistically in front of the glasses. Anastasia decided that she was going to break into her own stash of imported chocolate tonight when she could finally kick off her shoes and relax. If ever a day called for chocolate, it was this one.

The large arrangement of carnations was the finishing touch. It had surprised her that the client hadn’t ordered roses, the traditional flower of Valentine’s Day. She knew it wasn’t because of the cost. Obviously, he hadn’t skimped anywhere else. Must be the lady’s preference. And Anastasia could easily understand that. Carnations lasted longer than roses. They were her personal favorite.

Satisfied, she stood back and admired the table arrangement. Some lady was going to get a wonderful surprise this evening. Wiping her damp palms on her skirt, she glanced at her watch. It was almost five o’clock. If she called ahead and told her lawyer that she was on the way, she could probably still get those papers signed today.

She reached for her purse and the empty box, turned toward the door and froze. There was a man leaning against the doorframe, watching her. Her eyes flew to his face and the purse and box fell to the floor with a thump.

“Hello, Ana.”

*****

Mason watched his wife with avid interest. She looked even better than she had a year ago, and that was saying something. Ana had always looked fantastic. “Not going to say hello?” He kept his tone mild when what he really wanted to do was grab her into his arms and never let her go. He didn’t dare move from his place in front of the door. By blocking the entrance, she wouldn’t be able to run until he’d talked with her.

As he watched, she seemed to collect herself. “Hello, Mason. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” She gave him a tight, polite smile. It was the same one she always gave his mother. He had a lot of talking to do and he had to do it fast.

“This is my office.”

Her mouth dropped open in shock. “I don’t understand. Don’t you work for Style Investment Corp. anymore?” As if realizing she’d shown more interest than was wise, she drew herself up tall. “Not that it’s any of my business.”

“Of course it’s your business.” He straightened away from the doorframe, trying to ease the ache that coursed through his body. His wife was here with him after all these long, lonely months.

She shook her head. “After I sign those papers today, nothing you do is my business just as nothing I do is yours.” Her eyes narrowed. “You ordered this, didn’t you?”

He shrugged. “Guilty.”

Her face paled and she grabbed her purse, abandoning the box. “I’ll get out of your way before you guest arrives.”

Pain rocked him as he realized the conclusion she’d drawn. He supposed he couldn’t blame her. “You’re the guest, Ana,” he whispered.

If possible, her face paled even more. She reached out a hand to steady herself against the arm of the sofa. “I don’t understand.”

He took a step into the room and froze when she took a step away from him. This wasn’t going well at all, but then he’d known it wouldn’t be easy. Not after all this time. But he hadn’t become successful in business by being a quitter. “I wanted to talk to you. Needed to explain some things to you.”

“I think it’s a little too late for that, don’t you?” She rubbed her hands over her arms as if she were cold. He recognized the symptom. He’d been cold since the night he’d come home to find her gone.

“I didn’t know where you were,” he blurted out. Not exactly the way he’d intended to begin, but now that he’d started, he forged ahead. “I came home from work with your favorite Chinese takeout and chocolates, ready to talk about whatever had been bothering you that morning. And you were gone.”

“I left a letter.” Her cheeks were pink with indignation. “I was expecting you to read it and show up at Jenny’s house to get me. You were the one who didn’t show.”

“I didn’t get the letter. Didn’t even know about it until two days ago. I thought that you’d just left me.”

Her eyebrows drew together as she frowned. He wanted to smooth the wrinkles and kiss her until the last year was nothing but a bad memory. “That’s not possible.”

Taking a chance, he took a step toward her. This time she didn’t move away but stood her ground. “It is when you consider that my mother came by and read it first.” He let that tidbit of information sink in.

“Oh. My. God.” She swayed. “I think I need to sit down.” She practically slid onto the sofa. “Even she wouldn’t go that far.”

“Your suitcases were gone and the dresser drawers were wide open. Seems she packed your clothes and sent them to you. I waited by the phone all night long, drinking scotch and hoping. I fell into a stupor just before dawn.”

“I can’t believe she hated me that much.” She shook her head as if she couldn’t quite assimilate what she was hearing.

“I can’t believe she hated me that much.” Ana’s expressive blue eyes flew to his face. “You made me happier than I’ve ever been in my life. I’ve been only half living for the past year.”

She flew to her feet. “Just a second, buddy. I tried to call you the next day at home and work and you wouldn’t take my calls.”

He winced. “I was hung over the next day and not answering the phone. And, to be honest, I was too damn angry at you for leaving me to listen to anything you had to say at that point.” It wasn’t one of his prouder moments.

“That’s fine, but what about the days following?” She marched over to him and poked him in the chest with her finger. Damn, she looked magnificent in her prim beige business suit with the red camisole peeking out from between the lapels. She tried to hide her passionate nature from the world, but he’d recognized it from the first moment he’d met her. His fingers itched to release all that red hair that she kept coiled up in an intricate knot at the back of her head and to slip open the buttons of her jacket.

“That was my own stubborn temper,” he freely admitted. “I felt that I’d been wronged and I wanted to hurt you back.”

She rubbed her hand over her breastbone. “You succeeded.”

“And for that, I’ll always be sorry.” It still shamed him that he’d acted that way. “Then I got the letter from your lawyer and it seemed that there was no hope.”

Her eyes widened. “But your lawyer contacted me first.”

He closed his eyes as another wave of pain washed over him. “Mother didn’t mention that bit of mischief.” Mason opened his eyes and rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. “I really thought that you wanted to talk to me because you wanted a divorce, and I put off the inevitable until there was no way to deny it any longer.”

“This is unbelievable.” She looked as bewildered and hurt as he had several days ago when he’d finally found out the truth. “Why did she tell you? Why now, with the divorce all but final?”

His laugh was bitter. “Mother has fallen in love, and she didn’t realize until it was too late that he was a retired cop who now runs his own security company and not a member of her rich set of friends. She met him at a party and he was wearing a tuxedo and mingling with the guests. She didn’t realize he was working security at the time. They saw each other a few more times and the rest is history.”

“But what does that have to do with our situation?” She licked her lips and Mason barely stifled a groan. He wanted to lick her lips and, indeed, the rest of her body. His c**k hardened and he shifted his stance to try to hide his growing erection.

“It seems she got a guilty conscience and confessed what she’d done to him. Ron got very angry with her and demanded that she tell me everything. She was more afraid of losing him than she was of alienating me.” He shook his head. After all these years, he still didn’t understand the woman who’d given birth to him. “In the end, it was Ron who came to see me. He handed me the letter you’d left and told me what my mother had done. I haven’t spoken with her since and don’t know if I ever will.”

“That’s so sad.” Ana shook her head. “What’s even sadder is that if we’d been able to communicate better in the first place, she wouldn’t have been able to destroy our marriage.” Biting her lower lip, she turned her head away.

“Is it destroyed?” Taking a chance that she would reject him outright, Mason cupped her cheek and used his thumb to tilt her face upward until she was staring right at him.

“I’m supposed to sign divorce papers today,” she whispered, her voice none too steady as he lowered his face toward her.

“You don’t have to sign.” His lips brushed hers and that slight contact went straight to his groin. His c**k flexed against his zipper, demanding release. “We can start again. Here. Now.” He licked at her lower lip, tracing the fullness. Damn, she tasted sweet. Intoxicating.

She sucked in a breath and slowly shifted away from him. “The old problems still remain. I’m never going to fit easily into your life.”

“Sweet Ana, I don’t fit into my life, and that’s why I’ve changed it.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

He motioned around the room. “This company and the entire building are mine. I sold my share of the family company and started my own, which of course didn’t please my mother at all. I also sold the house. It was too damn lonely without you.” The last year had been filled with long, empty nights where he’d lie in their bed, aching to hold her in his arms.

“That’s not what I heard.”

He could tell she wished she hadn’t said anything, but now was the time to get everything out into the open if they were going to have a chance at saving their marriage. “What did you hear?”

She toyed with the pearls around her neck, as she always did when she was nervous or feeling insecure. “I stopped by the house one night and your mother said you were out to dinner with a lady friend.”

He frowned, searching his memory. “When was that?”

“About two weeks after we split.”

He thought for a second and finally remembered. “I did have dinner with a friend. I hired Peggy Jamieson to be my lawyer. We were discussing my case. It was just after I’d gotten the letter from your lawyer.”

Mason reached out and tugged Ana into his arms. She came reluctantly, but she didn’t fight him or demand that he release her. “We’ve both changed in the past year. And I think it’s for the better. You’re running a successful business yourself.”

“I like it.” He could hear the defensiveness in her voice and see it in her posture as she straightened her shoulders. He was responsible for that. He’d spent a year married to this amazing woman and never once realized how uncomfortable she was with the life they’d had. Hell, he’d been uncomfortable himself, but he’d grown up with it and had just accepted it. The fact that Ana was so different from anything he’d ever known was part of what had drawn him to her.

“I think it’s amazing. Less than a year and already you’re the buzz around town.”

“What have you heard?”

He shrugged, not wanting to admit that he’d watched her company’s progress with interest and pride. “A lot of CEOs are singing your praises, saying you saved their butts on birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas…” She laughed as he’d intended and he drank in the sound like a parched man getting a reprieve after a year in the desert.

“We offer a complete yearly package where the company will take care of any and all holiday obligations. We tailor it to each client and allow them to have as little or as much input into the arrangements as possible.”

“Like I said, it’s pretty amazing.”

Abruptly, her demeanor changed and she took a step toward the door. “I don’t know if this is such a good idea, Mason.”

His gut clenched. “It’s an excellent idea. I still love you. That has never changed.” He plunged onward. “And you love me. We owe it to ourselves to give our marriage another shot.”